AGRIC,  BEPT,  ****L,to 


THE   RANIDAE 

HOW  TO  BREED, 
FEED  AND  RAISE 

THE  EDIBLE  FROG 


PUBLISHED  BY 

THE  MEADOW  BROOK  FARM 

ALLENDALE,  N.  J. 


THE  EDIBLE  FROG. 


"RANA  ESCULENTA." 


HOW  TO  BREED,  FEED  AND 
RAISE  THE  EDIBLE  FROG. 


A  Book  of  Great  Value  to  Beginners, 
Covering  Every  Detail  Thoroughly. 

Main  Lib, 


WHAT  TO  DO  AND  HOW  TO  DO  IT. 


PRICE    $1.00. 


PUBLISHED  ANI>;PJ>jfE£>  BY 


THE  .M^DQW  BROOK  -FARM, 

'  ALLENf>ALfc*,  N£W  ''JERSEY. 


(Copyright  1905,  F.  E.  Bierbrier) 


CONTENTS     ' 

Information   for   Beginners, Page  3 

Those  Desirous  of  Light  Work, ' '  7 

For  the  Country  Home, "  7 

As  a   Business, "  8 

When  to  Begin, "  8 

How  Much  to  Invest, ' '  9 

The  Ponds  and  How  to  Construct  Them, "  10 

Care  of  Ponds, "  12 

Great  Profit  in  Swamp  Lands,. "  13 

The  Edible  Frog,  (Rana  Esculenta), "  15 

Xests  and  Nest  Building, "  20 

Enemies  of  Spawn,  Tadpoles  and  Small  Frogs, "  21 

Hatching  and  Progress  of  the  Young  Frog, 22 

Food  for  Tadpoles, 23 

Food  for  Frogs, ' '  25 

Catching  the  Frogs, "  26 

Some  Things  about  Frogs  Repeated, "  27 

LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  Edible  Frog, Page  i 

Watching  and   Waiting, "  8 

The  Female  Frog, "  15 

The  Male  Frog, : "  19 

Hatching  and  Progress  of  The  Young  Frog, l<  22 

Action  of  Frog's  Tongue  in  Catching  a  Fly, "  25 

Skeleton  of  a  Frog, *  *  27 

"Patience  Rewarded," ' '  29 

270390 


PREFACE. 

Think  of  it !     "  One  Dollar  a  Pound." 

The  Editor  of  this  book  was  brought  face  to  face  with  the  true 
possibilities  in  Frog  raising  by  his  love  for  this  delicate  meat  and 
his  inability  to  get  it.  As  I  had  visited  all  the  principal  markets  in 
New  York  City,  a  market  where  it  is  known  the  world  over  that  if 
there  is  anything  in  the  eatable  line  to  be  found  it  can  be  found  there. 
This  was  not  so  of  frog  meat.  After  making  several  attempts  and 
failing,  finally  one  day  I  found  about  twenty  pounds,  which  had  been 
shipped  from  a  distant  point,  and  when  I  inquired  the  price?  "'One 
dollar  a  pound,"  it  set  me  to  thinking,  as  it  will  you,  now  that  I 
have  brought  the  subject  to  your  notice.  At  prices  like  this  and  the 
demand  far  in  excess  of  the  supply,  as  I  had  inquired  of  the  market 
man  if  he  had  many  calls  for  frog  meat,  and  his  reply  was,  "More 
than  we  can  get  to  supply."  Now  what  more  inducement  does  any- 
one want?  This  information  should  make  you  ambitious  to  go  into 
the  business  of  Frog  Raising.  You  hear  on  all  sides  of  you  to-day 
that  there  is  no  opportunity  to  go  in  business  and  make  money,  as 
all  the  branches  of  industry  are  overproduced.  Here  surely  is  one 
line  of  business  that  is  not  overproduced.  And  a  business  that  is  not 
necessary  to  large  capital  to  start,  and  one  that  bids  fair  to  bring 
him  who  ventures  good  profitable  results. 


FROG  RAISING. 


Information  for  Beginners. 

We  are  constantly  in  receipt  of  inquiries  from  parties  who  want 
information  regarding  the  raising  of  Frogs.  So  we  have  compiled 
the  following  pages  to  answer  more  fully  such  inquiries  than  we 
can  by  letter.  If  you  do  not  find  the  information  you  want  con- 
tained herein,  let  us  hear  from  you,  and  we  will  take  pleasure  in 
advising  you  to  the  best  of  our  knowledge. 

The  autrior  of  this  book  conceived  the  idea  that  there  was  a 
large  amount  of  money  to  be  made  in  Raising  Frogs. 

The  object  in  publishing  this  book  is  to  get  persons  who  are 
so  situated  that  they  can  make  a  business  of  raising  Frogs  inter- 
ested so  as  to  supply  the  growing  demand  that  is  year  by  year  in- 
creasing, and  with  a  price  ranging  from  seventy-five  cents  to  one 
dollar  and  fifty  cents  a  pound.  This  should  be  an  incentive  to  any- 
one to  start  in  the  business,  when  the  work  of  Raising  Frogs  is  so 
simple,  and  writh  such  large  returns  to  repay  one  for  their  efforts. 

The  principal  thing  is  to  study  the  nature  of  the  Frog  in  habit 
and  breeding.  What  knowledge  we  have  in  the  breeding  and  rais- 
ing is  given  herein,  and  with  the  experience  gained  from  observation 
in  Raising  Frogs  it  soon  becomes  an  interesting  and  profitable  busi- 
ness. Frog  Raising  will  bring  in  more  profit  for  the  same  amount 
of  time  and  money  invested  than  any  other  industry  that  we  know 
of.  Every  farmer,  or  farmer's  boy,  should  have  a  Frog  pond  and 
Raise  Frogs. 

It  is  one  of  the  lines  of  business  that  we  have  heard  about, 
"That  makes  money  for  you  while  you  sleep." 

5 


Many  farmers  already  have  Frog  ponds,  and  at  a  greater  profit 
than  any  other  investment  they  have  on  their  farm  of  a  like  amount. 
Poultry  keepers  should  have  a  small  Frog  pond,  especially  if  they 
market  their  product  in  some  city  near  their  Plant  and  have  in- 
dividual customers,  and  sell  their  product  direct.  They  would  al- 
ways have  a  steady  market  for  more  Frog  meat  than  they  could 
supply,  and  at  large  profitable  prices,  as  it's  a  luxury  that  most  peo- 
ple indulge  in  and  would  do  so  more  often  if  they  knew  where  to  get 
Frog  meat. 

Try  yourself  to  buy  Frog  meat,  and  you  will  soon  find  that  it's 
not  to  be  had  at  any  price  in  most  places,  and  when  it  once  be- 
comes known  that  you  are  Raising  Frogs  you  will  soon  find  that 
your  demand  for  Frog  meat  is  much  greater  than  you  can  supply. 
It  works  in  very  well  with  poultry  raising  if  you  can  construct  your 
ponds  at  not  too  great  an  expense,  and  is  much  more  profitable  con- 
sidering the  investment  and  work. 


Those  Desirous  of  Light  Work. 

Many  who  are  unable  to  do  heavy  work  will  find  Frog  Raising 
a  very  desirable  occupation.  Being  in  the  open  air  it  tends  to  health, 
which  is  beneficial  to  those  who  are  sickly  and  to  whom  it  becomes 
necessary  to  take  up  one  of  the  lighter  occupations.  '  The  work  is 
light  and  with  care  and  study  can  be  made  a  source  of  a  substantial 
income,  and  carried  on  intelligently  Frog  Raising  is  as  certain  a 
business  and  as  profitable  if  not  more  than  many  undertakings,  and 
you  will  always  find  a  ready  market  for  all  the  Frogs  you  can  raise. 
Any  one  of  the  large  Hotels  or  Restaurants  in  New  York  City  will 
use  more  Frog  meat  in  a  year  than  one  Frog  Raiser  can  supply,  and 
you  can  get  a  standing  order  for  shipments  of  a  certain  number  of 
pounds  each  week.  Make  inquiries  along  this  line  and  you  will 
soon  be  convinced  of  the  opportunity  this  business  offers. 

For  the  Country  Home. 

If  you  are  living  in  the  city  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  and 
so  fortunate  as  to  have  a  country  home,  you  by  all  means  should 
put  in  a  pond  and  Raise  Frogs,  as  they  will  be  a  delicacy  for  your- 
self and  also  your  friends  when  they  come  from  the  city  to  see  you. 
And  they  will  be  one  of  the  natural  products  of  the  country,  which 
one  comes  from  the  city  to  the  country  to  enjoy,  and  to  many  they 
will  be  an  interesting  and  novel  sight.  And  in  winter,  when  you 
are  away,  they  will  be  dormant  and  need  no  care. 


As  a  Business. 

If  you  are  going  into  Frog  Raising  as  a  business,  we  recom- 
mend that  you  make  a  small  beginning,  for  nothing  is  more  dis- 
couraging, after  having  gone  into  a  business  exclusively,  than  to 
have  reverses  in  the  start  and  lose  a  large  portion  of  your  invest- 
ment for  want  of  a  little  practical  experience.  Many  persons  have 
met  failure  by  starting  on  a  large  scale  at  first,  and  without  prac- 
tical experience,  where  had  they  started  small  might  to-day  be  a 
grand  success.  This  caution  applies  in  all  business  ventures,  and 
it's  the  mistake  that  is  made  and  cause  of  most  failures. 

When  to  Begin. 

We  recommend  the  active  work  to  begin  in  the  early  spring. 
Get  your  ponds  ready  as  soon  as  possible.  Get  your  stock  and  place 
it  early,  so  it  becomes  familiar  with  its  new  quarters  before  the 
breeding  season  sets  in. 


WATCHING  AND  WAITING 

8 


How  Much  to  Invest. 

This,  of  course,  depends  largely  on  the  circumstances.  If  you 
have  abundant  means  and  delight  in  some  hobby  and  want  to  make 
a  fancy  proposition  out  of  it,  why  you  can  make  your  ponds  as 
expensive  and  picturesque  as  you  wish.  But  for  those  who  wish  to 
make  a  business  for  the  benefit  of  the  income  to  be  derived,  should 
start  with  a  small  pond  and  about  six  pairs  of  Frogs.  Then  gradu- 
ally increase  your  breeding  pond  as  your  stock  and  ability  to  handle 
it  demands.  Don't  start  with  Frogs  under  four  years  of  age.  They 
will  be  the  cheapest  in  the  end. 


The  Ponds  and  How  to  Construct  Them. 

.  If  you  have  a  running  stream  of  water  on  your  place,  the  work 
of  building  the  ponds  is  much  easier  than  where  you  have  to  de- 
pend on  filling  them  from  pumped  water. 

It  is  necessary  to  have  several  ponds,  one  large  pond  is  not  sat- 
isfactory. The  reason  for  this  is  explained  later.  A  plant  for  busi- 
ness should  have  at  least  four  ponds.  The  depth  of  the  ponds  need 
not  be  very  great,  three  feet  is  ample,  and  they  could  be  less  if  you 
can  have  a  good  loam  bottom  that  will  hold  water.  But  three  feet 
is  very  satisfactory,  and  this  graduating  off  to  two  feet,  and  one 
foot  deep  at  the  bank  is  plenty.  A  good  shape  and  cheap  way  to 
build  the  ponds  is  like  the  cut  shown.  If  the  ground  you  have  won't 
allow  of  this  arrangement  why  make  to  best  arrangement  your 
ground  will  permit  for  convenience,,  carrying  out  the  plan  advisable 
for  Raising  Frogs.  You  must  have  a  breeding  pond,  a  hatching 
pond,  a  raising  and  a  stock  pond,  four  ponds  in  all.  The  stock  pond 
should  be  the  largest,  permitting  of  plenty  of  room  for  growing  and 
opportunity  to  get  food.  The  size  of  your  ponds  depends  largely  on 
the  amount  of  land  available,  its  topography  and  the  water  supply. 
Ponds  not  less  than  one-half  acre  in  area,  with  the  inlet  at  one  end 
and  the  outlet  at  the  other,  in 'a  line  of  its  longest  axis,  generally 
produce  the  best  results,  though  smaller  ponds  can  be  successfully 
used. 

10 


At  least  one-fourth  of  each  of  the  ponds  should  not  be  over 
one  foot  in  depth,  and  this  portion  should  be  planted  with  pond 
weed  (Potamogeton)  and  water  weed  (Elodea,  or  Anacharis)  to 
facilitate  the  production  and  growth  of  the  minute  animals  which 
furnish  so  large  a  part  of  the  food  for  the  Frogs  at  all  stages  of 
growth.  The  rest  of  the  pond  should  have  a  gradually  sloping 
bottom,  and  consequent  increase  depth  to*  the  outlet  (or  drawoff), 
where  the  water  should  be  at  least  five  feet  deep,  so  that  in  drawing 
off  the  ponds  the  stock  can  be  assembled  in  a  small  area  for  sort- 
ing, etc.  The  bottom  of  the  ponds,  preferable,  soft  muck,  in  which 
the  Frogs  can  bury  themselves  in  cold  weather  and  avoid  against 
danger  of  freezing.  In  the  middle  of  all  the  ponds,  except  the 
spawn  hatching  pond,  water  lilies  should  be  planted,  the  large  pods, 
such  as  (Nymphea  alba).  These  plants  furnish  hiding  places  from 
fish  hawks,  also  serve  as  a  sun  shade  and  stool  for  sunning  during 
summer.  It  is  not  advisable  to  place  large  bowlders  in  the  pond, 
as  they  are  in  the  way  of  seining  or  netting,  and  furnish  an  acceptable 
resort  for  crawfish,  which  are  enemies  when  large.  Nursery  ponds 
should  be  constructed  to  afford  young,  protection  from  enemies  and 
to  produce  the  greatest  quantity  of  insect  life  suited  for  their  sus- 
tenance, and  this  is  better  accomplished  with  a  number  of  small 
ponds  than  with  one  large  one.  A  good  working  size  for  spawn 
breeding  is  from  40  to  50  feet  long,  by  12  to  15  feet  wide,  with  a 
depth  of  from  1 8  to  36  inches  deep  to  the  outlet.  Where  the  topog- 
raphy of  the  ground  will  permit  it  is  better  to  have  the  nurseries  im- 
mediately adjoining  the  spawning  pond.  With  water  supply  from 
same  source,  so  that  there  will  be  but  slight  difference  between  the 
temperature  of  the  shallowest  part  of  nursery  pond  and  surface  of 

11 


water  of  spawning  pond.  If  the  location  is  infested  with  crawfish 
or  snakes  the  nurseries  should  be  protected  by  wire  screens.  The 
spawning  nursery  ponds  may  be  combined  by  constructing  one  com- 
paratively long  pond,  narrow  near  the  middle,  so  that  the  general 
shape  would  be  like  an  hour-glass.  Across  the  narrow  part  is  to 
be  stretched  a  screen  of  one-quarter  inch  wire  cloth,  which  will  con- 
fine the  spawners  to  the  deeper  end  of  the  pond,  while  the  fry  or 
hatching  spawn  will  be  kept  separate.  This  form  of  pond  is  advan- 
tageous where  for  any  reason  only  a  few  ponds  can  be  built.  Be- 
tween all  ponds  that  are  connected  they  should  be  screened  where 
water  runs  from  one  pond  to  the  other,  that  is,  at  the  inlet  and  out- 
lets. 

Each  pond  should  be  surrounded  by  one-half  inch  wire  mesh 
two  feet  high.  This  makes  a  protection  to  the  ponds  from  enemies, 
and  also  keeps  the  Frogs  confined  to  the  ponds  they  are  intended. 

Care  of  Ponds. 

The  accumulated  decayed  matter  ought  to  be  occasionally  re- 
moved. The  frequency  of  this  depends  on  character  of  the  water 
supply,  the  amount  of  silt  it  brings  into  the  ponds,  the  character 
of  the  soil,  and  on  the  thoroughness  of  the  yearly  removal  of  the 
surplus  vegetation.  Care  should  be  taken  that  the  ponds  do  not  be- 
come offensive  with  stagnant  water  and  rotten  vegetation.  This 
condition  is  detrimental  to  large  production ;  while  abundant  pond 
vegetation  is  favorable  to  a  large  production  of  fry  it  must  not  be- 
come decayed.  It  is  sometimes  so  luxuriant  that  it  settles  down  in 
a  blanket-like  mass  and  smothers  and  pens  in  many  of  the  young 
Frogs.  Under  such  conditions  it  should  be  removed  frequently.  This 

12 


can  be  done  by  lowering-  the  ponds,  if  they  are  built  so  they  can  be 
drawn  off,  which  is  a  very  desirable  and  convenient  way  if  the  topog- 
raphy of  the  land  will  permit.  A  strong  flat-bottom  boat  should  be 
made,  in  which  can  be  taken  the  surplus  matted  vegetation  and 
carried  off.  At  each  end  of  the  boat  a  ring  should  be  fastened, 
through  which  stakes  can  be  driven  to  hold  the  boat  at  points  in 
the  pond  to  be  worked.  The  vegetation  is  raked  from  the  water  in 
small  lots.  Care  should  be  taken  not  to  bring  up  any  of  the  small 
Frogs  and  Tadpoles  with  the  vegetation.  'It  should  be  removed 
from  the  banks  of  the  ponds  at  once,  as  it  will  rot  very  fast,  and  its 
•presence  is  objectionable. 

If  a  boat  is  not  used  the  vegetation  can  be  drawn  near  the 
shore  with  long-handled  rakes  and  taken  out  with  long-handled 
pitchforks  made  especially. 

This  method  is  simple  and  much  more  economical.  Two  men 
can  accomplish  more  than  five  men  by  the  other  method.  The  advan- 
tage in  favor  of  the  boat  is  that  you  do  not  need  to  disturb  the  whole 
mass,  but  pick  it  out  here  and  there  as  you  think  best,  and  have  it 
more  uniform  and  not  destroy  the  roots  so  much. 

Great  Profit  in   Swamp  Lands. 

Swamp  lands,  on  a  farm,  converted  into  Froggeries,  bring  in 
large  profits.  If  you  have  a  piece  of  ground  which  is  swampy,  which 
can  be  found  on  most  any  farm,  and  you  do  not  convert  this  into 
"Raising  Frogs/'  you  are  losing  one  of  the  most  profitable  products 
of  your  farm,  as  more  money  can  be  made  from  an  acre  of  sivamp 
land  in  a  F raggery  than  ten  acres  in  wheat,  if  properly  managed, 
and  with  little  expense.  You  first  want  to  excavate  a  portion  of  it 

13 


where  you  can  have  water,  50  x  1 5  feet,  and  another  part  of  it 
15  x  20  feet,  and  fence  it  in,  as  explained  above  with  a  2-foot  one-half 
mesh  wire.  In  the  larger  pond  place  the  breeding  Frogs,  and  in 
the  smaller  one  hatch  out  the  spawn,  and  when  they  are  developed 
into  Frogs  turn  them  loose  on  the  swamp  to  grow  until  they  main- 
tain marketable  size.  If  there  is  a  small  stream  or  ditch  running 
through  the  swamp,  which  very  often  is  the  case,  then  it  is  an  easy 
task.  And  here  &  where  the  ol<5  saying  can  \  be  appliec.,  "Makes 
money  fonvou  while  you  sleep."  And  good,  big  money  it  makes,  too. 
Don't  put  off  turning  your  swamp  into  a  money-maker.  Dp  IT  NOW. 

\ 


14 


The  Edible  Frog  (Rana  Esculenta.) 


THE)  FEMALE  FROG. 


Two  species  of  Rana  are  common  in  America  and  Europe,  viz., 
Rana  esculenta  and  Rana  temporaria.  The  latter  alone  is  indigenous 
to  Great  Britain,  and  varieties  of  it  extend  throughout  temperate 
Europe  and  Asia  to  Japan,  and  one  variety  (pretiosa)  exists  in  the 
United  States.  The  edible  Frog  (Rana  esculenta),  however,  has 
been  introduced  into  England.  An  Indian  species  (Rana  breviceps) 
and  several  South  \African  species  burrow  in  the  ground. 

ECOLOGY  AND  HABITS.  The  skin  of  Frogs  is  usually  smooth 
and  free  from  warts  or  horny  excrescences.  It  is  invested  with  a 
colorless  epidermis,  which  is  shed  from  time  to  time  as  the  creature 

15 


grows ;  this  splits  along  the  back  and  thighs,  is  worked  over  the  head 
like  the  taking  off  of  a  shirt,  and  usually  eaten  by  the  wearer.  The 
deeper  layers  contain  much  pigment,  in  cells  which  are  more  or  less 
under  muscular  control,  enabling  Frogs  to  change  their/ hue  to  con- 
form to  the  background. 

y#  /  •  / 

Frogs  are  carnivorous,  and  in  the  season  of  activity  are  likely  to 
be  very  voracious.  The  terrestrial  and  arboreal  forms  feed  mainly 
on  insects,  worms,  etc.  The  aquatic  kinds  also  catch  insects,  but 
subsist  more  on  aquatic  animals — worms,  tadpoles,  small  fishes,  and 
other  Frogs.  These  are  seized  and  slowly  swallowed,  often,  where 
before  the  remainder,  perhaps  still  alive,  has  been  got  within  the 
mouth. 

Extremes  of  cold  or  drought  in  climate  must  be  avoided  by 
Frogs.  Moisture  of  the  skin  is  necessary  to  their  health,  and  in  very 
dry  places  or  seasons  they  survive  only  by  going  deeply  under 
ground.  Thus  some  tropical  species  get  through  the  "dry  season." 
The  frogs  of  northern  climates  endure  the  winter  by  clustering 
about  spring-holes  and  other  places  where  the  water  is  comparatively 
warm  and  free  of  ice ;  or  else  by  hibernating  in  the  mud.  Terrestrial 
species  bury  themselves  for  the  winter  in  the  loam,  or  burrow  into  the 
dry  dust  of  rotting  logs  and  stumps.  Their  vitality  is  strong,  and 
their  power  of  regeneration  from  partial  congelation  is  very  great. 

Though  most  species  live  always  in  or  near  water,  many  spend 
the  greater  part  of  their  time  away  from  it,  and  often  in  bushes  or 
trees.  These,  however,  go  to  the  water  to  breed ;  and  as  this  function 
is  likely  to  demand  attention  early  in  the  spring,  it  is  then  that  these 
animals  make  themselves  most  conspicuous  by  the  incessantly  ut- 
tered croaking  or  rattling  calls  of  the  males,  which  are  almost  as 

16 


varied  as  the  songs  of  the  birds,  and  more  ventriloqtiistic.  These 
are  wholly  the  cries  of  the  male  Frogs,  and  cease  when  the  mates 
have  been  found  and  have  spawned ;  and  to  assist  in  producing  them 
many  species  have  gular  air-sacs,  which  are  connected  with  the  vocal 
organs  and  furnish  the  power  required  for  the  loud  and  insistent 
utterances.  The  great  ear-drums  correlated  with  this  vocal  power 
are  conspicuous  in  many  species. 

The  reproductive  habits  of  Frogs  are  various.  All  of  our  com- 
mon species  lay  their  eggs  in  water,  the  eggs  being  fertilized  as 
they  are  laid.  As  the  eggs  are  laid  they  are  inclosed  in  a  gelatinous 
envelope  secreted  by  the  female.  This  swells  and  protects  the  eggs 
from  injury,  from  being  fed  upon,  from  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun, 
and  in  some  species  it  serves  to  float  the  eggs  at  the  surface  of  the 
water,  where  oxygen  is  most  abundant;  finally,  the  envelope  serves 
as  food  for  the  young  frogs.  The  mouth  of  the  tadpole  is  small  and 
provided  with  a  horny  beak,  which  takes  the  place  of  the  teeth  which 
are  not  yet  developed.  The  tadpole  feeds  on  algae  that  cover  stones, 
and  on  the  flesh  of  dead  animals.  The  long,  spirally  coiled  intestine, 
which  can  be  seen  on  the  under  side  of  the  animal,  is  an  adaptation 
to  its  prevailingly  herbivorous  diet,  which  requires  a  prolonged 
digestion. 

The  tadpole  usually  lives  in  the  water  for  two  or  three  months 
before  it  takes  to  land.  In  the  Bullfrog,  however,  the  transformation 
(see  TOAD)  does  not  take  place  until  the  second  summer. 

In  many  tropical  Frogs  the  reproductive  habits  are  much  modi- 
fied. One  species  (PhyUobates  trinitatis)  of  Venezuela  and  Trinidad 
carries  its  tadpoles  on  its  back,  to  which  the  young  attach  themselves 
by  means  of  their  suckers.  A  frog  of  the  Seychelles  Islands  lives  in 

17 


the  tree-ferns  far  from  water,  and  carries  its  young  about  on  its 
back,  to  which  they  are  attached  by  their  bellies.  In  the  Kameruns 
lives  a  Frog  that  lays  its  eggs  in  a  foamy  mass  on  the  leaves  of  a 
tree.  When  the  larvae  are  developed  the  mass  becomes  slimy  and 
the  tadpoles  swim  about  it,  and  when  a  heavy  rain  falls  they  are 
washed  into  pools  of  water  lying  at  the  bases  of  the  trees.  The  foam 
is  probably  produced  as  it  is  in  culinary  operations,  by  air  being 
entangled  in  it  by  a  beating  that  the  Frog  gives  the  jelly  with  its 
fc-et.  The  inclosed  air  may  well  serve  in  respiration.  Compare 
TOAD. 

UTILITIES.  Among  both  civilized  and  savage  men  Frogs  are  a 
culinary  dainty.  The  edible  European  Frog  is  so  much  prized  in 
France  that  it  is  bred  for  the  market  in  large  preserves.  In  the 
United  States  both  the  Bullfrog  and  spring  Frog  are  sold  in  the 
markets.  In  France  and  the  United  States  the  hind  legs  alone  are 
eaten ;  they  are  known  as  "saddles"  to  American  marketmen,  and  are 
usually  served  at  table  fried.  In  Germany  all  the  muscular  parts  are 
served  stewed,  often  with  sauce.  Frogs  have  enabled  man  to  con- 
tribute much  to  his  knowledge  of  physiology.  The  tail  of  the  tad- 
pole, so  frequently  fed  on  by  dragon-fly  larvae  and  other  aquatic  ene- 
mies, has  great  capacity  of  regeneration.  The  study  of  its  re-forma- 
tion has  added  to  our  knowledge  of  the  regeneration  of  animal  tissue. 
The  circulation  of  the  blood,  so  readily  seen  by  the  aid  of  the  micro- 
scope in  the  web  of  the  Frog's  foot,  is  a  classic  and  painless  class- 
room demonstration.  Observations  on  the  response  of  Frog-muscle 
to  stimuli  led  the  great  Italian  physiologist  Galvani  to  the  discovery 
of  dynamical  or  current  electricity,  known  to  us  as  galvanic  or 
voltaic  electricity. 

18 


THE  MAI^E  FROG.      (See  Blower.) 


19 


Nests  and  Nest  Building. 

Whenever  the  spawning  period  occurs,  ample  warning  will  be 
given,  as  the  male  Frogs  will  begin  croaking  for  their  mate,  and 
will  be  seen  near  the  shore.  Early  in  the  spring  is  the  breeding 
season,  and  the  Frogs  will  be  seen  in  pairs,  working  in  company, 
selecting  nests,  which  are  in  place  where  there  is  a  vegetation  to 
attach  the  spawn,  near  the  surface  of  the  water,  as  the  action  of  the 
sun  has  much  to  do  with  the  hatching  of  the  spawn. 

Impregnation  takes  place  immediately  after  the  spawn  is  de- 
posited, as  with  the  spawn  of  fish.  The  spawn  of  frogs  looks  like 
a  gelatin  mass  in  the  shape  of  a  bunch  of  grapes,  and  will  be 
found  attached  to  some  vegetation  in  the  pond.  This  should  be 
immediately  taken  out  with  a  large,  long  handle  dipper  and  de- 
posited in  the  hatching  pond,  as  the  spawn  will  be  destroyed  by  the 
frogs  jumping  into  the  pond  and  coming  in  contact  with  it,  for  if 
the  spawn  is  separated  or  broken  up  and  sinks  to  the  bottom  of 
the  pond,  where  it  cannot  get  the  proper  action  of  the  sun,  many 
of  the  eggs  will  not  hatch,  but  will  be  destroyed  and  eaten.  The 
nursery,  or  hatching  pond,  should  be  constructed  in  this  way : 
Make  some  skeleton  frames  that  will  set  on  the  bottom  of  the  pond, 
and  come  within  a  few  inches  of  the  top  of  the  water.  Fasten  the 
frames  down,  either  by  weights  of  stakes  driven  in  the  ground. 
Take  some  fine  netting  such  as  used  on  windows  to  keep  out  flies ;; 

20 


cotton  or  flax  netting  preferred  to  wire.  Fasten  this  netting  to 
the  frame.  Be  sure  that  the  netting  is  always  covered  with  water 
when  spawn  is  on  it.  On  this  netting,  deposit  the  eggs  or  spawn 
taken  from  the  breeding  pond.  In  this  way  it  will  be  undisturbed, 
and  the  sun  can  do  its  part  toward  the  hatching  of  the  eggs.  This 
method  will  be  found  successful,  and  you  can  watch  the  progress, 
and  the  influence  of  the  sun  and  water  on  the  hatching  of  the  eggs 
and  note  the  change  from  day  to  day,  as  the  Frogs  have  nothing 
more  to  do  with  their  development.  Another  reason  for  separating 
the  eggs  or  spawn  from  the  breeding  ponds  is,  when  the  spawn  is 
hatched  into  tadpoles,  the  Frogs  will  eat  the  tadpoles  as  fast  as 
they  wiggle  out  of  the  egg.  'In  fact.  Frogs  are  cannibals,  and 
will  eat  the  young  until  they  get  large  enough  to  protect  themselves. 
This  is  why  ponds  should  be  constructed  so  that  Frogs  of 
different  sizes  can  be  separated,  and  all  of  about  a  size,  kept  in 
ponds  by  themselves,  and  raised  together.  By  this  arrangement 
you  save  many  small  Frogs. 

Enemies  of  Spawn,  Tadpoles  and  Small  Frogs. 

The  enemies  must  be  guarded  against  by  proper  fencing  with 
wire  netting  and  boards.  A  board  should  be  sunken  into  the  ground 
at  least  three  inches,  and  2  foot  2  inch  mesh  wire  fastened  on  it. 
If  a  12-inch  board  is  used,  this  will  make  a  fence  about  34  inches 
high.  It  could  be  built  higher  if  desired,  but  this  height  makes  a  good 
appearance.  The  enemies  are  rats,  cats,  turtles,  water  centipedes, 
water  beetles,  coons,  leeches  and  snakes.  Snakes  are  one  of  the 
worst  enemies,  as  they  will  devour  the  spawn,  of  which  they  are 
very  fond,  and  also  the  small  Frogs. 


Hatching  and  Progress  of  the  Young  Frogs. 


Figure  I  represents  the  embryo  as  it  appears  several  days  after 
the  egg  is  deposited.  Figure  2  gives  an  outline  of  its  form ;  the 
arrows  at  the  side  of  the  head  shows  the  currents  of  water,  which 
are  seen  to  flow  to  the  branchiae  by  the  breathing  of  the  young 
animal.  A  short  period  brings  it  to  the  form  represented  in  Nos. 
3  and  4,  the  latter  representing  the  head.  Figure  5  shows  the  form 
of  the  tadpole  when  first  hatched,  which  usually  takes  place  about 
four  weeks  after  the  depositing  of  .the  egg.  Figures  6,  7  and  8 
shows  various  stages  of  its  development ;  the  latter  representing  the 
tadpole,  called  pollywog  sometimes ;  this,  for  some  time,  now  under- 
goes little  change  of  form,  but  increases  in  size.  At  length  the 

22 


hinder  legs  bud,  and  are  gradually  developed,  as  seen  in  No.  9 ;  the 
fore  legs  are  ere  long  produced  in  a  similar  manner. 

HATCHINGS.  The  tail  begins  now  to  diminish,  as  seen  in  No. 
10,  and  is  finally  absorbed  into  the  body  and  disappears.  The 
tadpole  (which,  for  a  time,  is  like  a  fish  and  breathing  by 
branchiae,  or  gills,  and  feeding  on  vegetable  food  of  fishes)  is  now 
a  frog;  breathes  the  air  by  true  lungs,  and  betakes  itself  to  the 
land,  where  it  pursues  the  avocations  of  its  new  and  higher  life, 
whereas  it  before  swam  by  means  of  a  tail  it  now  leaps,  and  as 
before,  it  ate  only  roots  and  grass,  it  now  becomes  a  hunter  of 
insects  and  worms.  This,  or  a  very  similar  process  of  reproduc- 
tion, is  common  to  all  species  of  the  family.  The  Rana  Frogs  form 
the  highest  group  of  the  Batrachian  class.  They  are  active  crea- 
tures, feeding  on  insects  and  worms.  Those  which  live  upon  the 
ground  in  the  neighborhood  of  standing  water,  and  pass  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  their  lives  in  the  water,  have  their  toes  pointed, 
and  those  of  the  hinder  feet  united,  almost  to  the  tips,  by  membrane. 

Food  for  Tadpoles. 

The  spawn  or  egg  takes  from  four  to  six  weeks  to  hatch  to 
the  shape  of  a  tadpole,  and  the  tadpole  takes  about  four  or  five 
months  to  hatch  or  change  its  shape  from  that  of  a  tadpole  to  a 
small  frog,  which  is  done  as  stated  in  previous  paragraph.  Frogs 
are  very  prolific.  One  bunch  of  spawn,  from  large,  well  developed 
frogs,  and  of  five  years  of  age  or  over,  will  produce  or  hatch  over 
one  thousand  tadpoles.  But  of  course  all  of  these  will  not  be 
raised  to  become  small  Frogs.  But  a  great  proportion  of  them  can 
be  if  properly  cared  for  and  you  have  the  proper  facilities. 


The  beak  of  the  tadpole  is  adapted  to  the  eating  of  leaves  and 
other  vegetable  foods,  and  on  which  they  could  entirely  subsist. 
But  it  is  well  to  give  them  access  to  small  insect  food,  much  of 
which  they  can  get  from  surface  of  water.  The  food  changes  en- 
tirely when  the  tadpole  develops  into  a  Frog.  When  a  frog,  the 
food  is  entirely  insect  or  live  food.  It  is  well,  sometimes,  when 
you  cannot  get  facilities  to  supply  naturally  plenty  of  insect  food, 
to  take  some  of  the  smaller  Frogs  and  tadpoles  and  place  them  in 
the  ponds  with  the  growing  Frogs,  and  allow  the  Frogs  to  live  on 
them.  They  must  be  fed  live  food.  Chopped  meats  and  food  of 
this  character  will  do  for  tadpoles,  but  must  not  be  used  too  freely, 
as  they  do  not  eat  it  readily,  and  it  only  decays  and  a  stifling 
stench  follows.  If  your  ponds  are  connected  with  a  running 
stream,  much  of  the  insect  life  for  the  tadpoles  and  smaller  Frogs 
is  brought  into  the  ponds  by  the  stream,  which  is  very  desirable, 
and  saves  much  extra  work.  Leave  the  tadpoles  in  the  nursery 
pond  until 'they  have  developed  into  Frogs.  The  tadpoles  are  fish 
in  a  sense  and  will  eat  most  anything,  either  vegetable  or  animal 
matter.  In  fact,  he  is  a  scavenger,  and  will  clean  out  the  ponds. 
But  as  soon  as  he  turns  into  a  frog,  he  requires  a  different  class  ot 
food,  as  he  is  an  amphibious  animal.  Remember  this,  as  herein,  is 
one  of  the  secrets  that  have  caused  so  many  failures.  THE  FOOD 
FOR  FROGS  IS  A'NIMAL  FOOD. 


24 


Food   for  Frogs. 


ACTION  OF  FROG'S  TONGUE  IN  CATCHING  A  FI<Y. 

Caution,  from  this  time  on,  ANIMAL  FOOD  ONLY.  Xo  chopped 
meat,  as  Frogs  will  not  eat  it,  and  it  will  decay  and  cause  a  stench. 
Do  not  attempt  to  feed  it  to  frogs.  This  is  the  time  that  care  must 
be  taken  to  see  that  your  Frogs  get  plenty  of  the  proper  kind  of 
animal  food.  'If  they  are  not  kept  supplied,  they  will  turn  to  and 
eat  each  other,  and  in  this  way  destroy  many  a  pound  of  good 
Frog  meat,  that  is  worth  "One  Dollar  a  pound"  or  more.  As  the 
tadpoles  hatch  out  prolificly,  it's  wise  to  keep  a  quantity  of  these 
and  the  Small  Frogs  on  hand  to  feed  the  larger  ones  that  are 
being  gotten  ready  for  market.  By  having  a  number  of  small 
ponds,  this  stock  can  be  kept  on  hand  for  this  purpose.  A  plant 
that  will  grow  on  top  of  the  water  furnishes  many  insects,  as  well 
as  perching  places  to  basque,  in  the  sun,  and  catch  a  passing  unsus- 
pecting fly.  It  also  affords  a  shady  place  to  get  under  on  a  hot 
day,  with  head  above  water  looking  for  food.  One  of  the  best  and 
easiest  ways  to  furnish  lire  food  is  to  soak  a  number  of  potato  or 
feed  bags  zc'/Y/i  molasses,  and  fasten  them  up  around  the  ponds,  just 
above  the  ground.  This  draws  the  flies,  and  they  will  come  within 
reach  of  the  Frogs,  and  as  you  will  see  by  the  cut  at  top  of  this 
paragraph,  the  tongue  of  the  Frog  is  developed  to  be  of  service  in 
catching  them.  Small  tadpoles  from  other  species  of  frogs,  that  are 
not  eatable,  make  good  food  for  them.  These  can  be  found  in 

25 


large  quantities  along  most  any  stream,  or  in  any  pool  of  water. 
Wood  lice  or  sow-bugs  are  good.  In  planting  vegetable  matter  in 
the  ponds  be  sure  and  always  plant  from  seed,  as  in  transplanting 
you  may  bring  Leeches  into  your  ponds,  which  are  very  destructive 
to  the  Frogs,  and  act  on  the  Frogs  the  same  as  chicken  lice  do  on 
chicken,  and  in  time  will  kill  the  Frog,  and  at  all  times  retard  its 
growth.  If  your  Frogs  do  not  thrive  well  look  for  Leeches. 

IMPORTANT.  If  it  is  necessary  to  feed  your  Frogs  on  small  fry 
from  fishes  or  on  tadpoles  and  small  Frogs,  it  might  be  well  to 
have  a  supply  pond,  which  can  be  small,  and  in  feeding  it  is  only 
necessary  to  feed  twice  a  zveek,  and  can  be  done  by  putting  quan- 
tities here  and  there  in  the  ponds,  and  let  the  Frogs  catch  them  as 
they  swim  about.  Three  gillies,  tadpole  or  small  Frogs  is  con- 
sidered a  fair  meal  for  each  Frog. 

Catching  the  Frogs. 

There  are  several  ways  by  which  to  catch  the  Frogs  when 
ready  to  market.  If  they  are  to  be  dressed  they  can  be  speared ; 
this  is  done  with  a  handle  like  is  found  on  an  ordinary  house 
broom  with  a  fish  spear  fastened  in  the  end.  One  of  the  best  times 
to  spear  them  is  at  night  with  a  light  as  they  come  on  the  bank  at 
;iight  to  catch  bugs.  They  can  also  be  caught  very  readily  with  a  hand 
net,  same  as  used  in  landing  trout.  This  net  can  be  purchased  at 
most  any  hardware  store,  or  where  they  keep  fishing  tackle.  If  the 
Frogs  are  to  be  marketed  alive  they  must  be  caught  in  this  way. 
In  shipping  them  alive  always  put  wet  weeds  from  the  pond  in  bot- 
tom of  box  if  they  are  to  go  any  distance,  and  put  instructions  on 
the  box  for  agent  to  keep  the  weeds  wet  while  in  transit.  This 
will  insure  safe  delivery  of  live  frogs. 

26 


Some  Things  About  Frogs. 


SKELETON  OF  A  FROG. 

We  here  repeat  many  of  the  principal  items  we  have  previously 
mentioned,  because  they  are  the  questions  which  are  most  fre- 
quently asked.  Frogs  are  very  prolific.  One  bunch  of  eggs  will 
hatch  more  than  a  thousand  tadpoles,  and  if  you  had  the  facilities, 
the}-  could  be  hatched  and  reared  to  marketable  size.  A  good  run- 
ning stream,  which  can  be  coursed  through  all  your  ponds,  makes 
Frog  Raising  very  simple  and  profitable.  A  living  can  be  made 
from  "Frog  Raising"  if  you  are  favorably  located,  and  the  main 
qualities  needed  is  patience  and  good  common  sense,  to  which  ob- 
servation should  be  added.  It  takes  Frogs,  to  grow  to  marketable 
size,  from  two  to  three  years. 

27 


The  eggs  take  six  weeks  to  hatch  out.  The  tadpole  takes  from 
five  to  six  months  to  turn  into  a  Frog.  And  the  Frog,  to  grow  to 
marketable  size,  about  two  years. 

Here  lies  the  secret  of  the  high  price  of  Frog  meat.  The  time 
it  takes  before  the  Frog  can  be  developed  to  marketable  size  dis- 
courages many  from  entering  into  the  business.  But  once  equipped 
and  the  first  three  years  gone  over,  from  that  time  on  the  revenue 
is  continuous  and  the  profit  large,  and  you  have  a  yearly  income 
equalled  by  no  other  line  of  business,  as  you  have  always  got  some 
Frogs  that  are  coming  into  marketable  size.  And  the  income,  from 
this  product,  depends  entirely  on  how  large  a  scale  you  want  to 
enter  it.  Another  source  of  revenue,  which  is  very  profitable,  is 
selling  breeding  Frogs  to  beginners,  as  it  is  only  the  "Edible  Frog" 
that  is  profitable  to  raise^  for  market,  and  it  takes  from  four  to  five 
years  to  get  the  best  breeders.  They  bring  good  prices.  The  prices 
range  according  to  the  age.  Frogs  will  breed  from  two  years  old, 
but  the  best  results  are  obtained  from  the  older  mates,  as  the 
older  and  larger  the  Frog,  the  heavier  and  larger  the  spawn,  and 
the  more  eggs  will  hatch  and  produce  stronger  and  sturdier  tad- 
poles, and  from  these  mates  the  Frogs  grow  large  more  quickly. 
So  in  starting,  it  is  always  better  to  pay  a  little  more  for  your 
breeding  stock  and  not  use  so  many  pairs,  and  get  good  old  set- 
tlers, as  the  saying  is,  when  you  hear  them  croak,  "There  is  a 
good  old  settler."  And  be  sure  to  start  right,  not  with  the  common 
meadow  green  Frog,  which  is  eatable,  but  has  a  strong  taste  and 
does  not  grow  to  any  size.  The  average  size  of  this  Frog  at  most 
any  age  is  about  three  inches,  and  you  will  be  greatly  disappointed 
after  you  have  spent  your  time  and  find  that  you  have  not  had  the 


profitable  breeder.     Get  the  Frog  known  as  the  "Edible  Frog  of 
England.''    This  is  the  (Rana  EsculentaV 

The  subject  of  Frog  Raising  is  a  limited  one.  We  have,  how- 
ever, tried  to  give  as  briefly  as  possible  all  the  essential  details  and 
secrets  to  success  of  Raising  Frogs. 


PATIENCE  REWARDED." 


SPECIAL  NOTICE. 

Be  sure  and  get  the  Edible  Frog  when  you  start,  as  they  are  the 
best  for  table  and  bring  the  highest  prices,  and  grow  to  mar- 
ketable size  more  rapidly,  which  is  a  big  item.  We  always  have 
breeding  stock  :f or  sale  at  following  prices: 

3  year  old  Frogs,  per  pair $4.00 

4  year  old  Frogs,  per  pair 8.00 

5  year  old  Frogs,  per  pair 10.00 

Place  your  orders  early,  so  as  to  be  sure  and  get  your  breeders 
in  time  to  get  the  advantage  of  early  breeding.  Send  money  by 
registered  letter  or  money  order  to 

MEADOW    BROOK   FARM, 
Allendale,  New  Jersey. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 


Return  to  desk  from  which  borrowed. 
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APR  15 '64 -4  P 


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